So, it’s almost the end to another year, and here at the Grumpy Old Gamers, that can only mean one thing….that I’m probably bailing out Ryan Kashmere for public drunkenness again…but also time for our yearly top 5 list! Once he sobers up, of course.
We do things a little differently here thou, because rarely are we on the bleeding edge of games, so we include in the list everything we’ve played this year. So it could new, could be retro, or anything in between. Most of the games on my list too, will tend to be on the “family friendly” side, as I’m trying to not have my kids end up as social degenerates like their Poppa…and also, I’m a huge chicken. But mostly, the kids.
And disclaimers aside, lets begin, shall we?
Number 5
Team Sonic Racing – Available for PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Windows (played on Switch)
As a veteran of many hours of it’s predecessor for the Wii U (hey, remember the Wii U guys??) this was a game I was really excited for, and snapped up first day. While some of the changes were initially disappointing, (I really missed the transforming aspect of the last game for example), I grew to love the newest entry. There is a new team mechanic that changes the way you play, and requires you to look out for teammates as opposed to just winning at any costs. But with that, the game rewards your team work with a team ultimate boost, which can change the course of the race and is a very fun mechanic.
The racing core of the game also was knocked out of the park. The cars all handle well, and racing is a pure joy. I found myself trying all the characters, just to experience the different ways the cars handle, which is always a great sign with a racing game. Graphics and sound are all top notch too…well, except for the voice acting during “the story”. Yeah, the story is full on gouda bad…and the cheesy voice acting is just plain awful. But for me, that’s a huge plus, as anyone who knows, me knows how much I enjoyed the FMV craze of the early to mid 90’s…so I just reveled in it.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this game. Not a 40 hours kind of game, but a lot of fun to work through…and even more fun with friends!
Number 4
Astro Bot Rescue Mission – PlayStation VR
You can count me as one of the many who had written off virtual reality gaming as a fad, but this year I finally took the plunge and picked up a PSVR bundle on sale. Along with the usual stomach churning VR demo disc, was Astro Bot Rescue Mission, which I quickly fell in love with.
The game is a platformer, with a significant twist, the hero is the little robot that you control like an rc car , but you are physically in the level as well with him and have to keep an eye out for things that want to blind or bonk you as well. You control where you can look, but the game controls when you move and this dynamic plays out with some high tension moments where you struggle to keep track of where your robot buddy is.
The graphics are absolutely stunning, with levels full of vibrant colours and colourful characters. And if you are one of the easily squeamish folks like myself, you’ll be pleased to know that this game did not make me motion sick once, through whatever draconian witchcraft they used to make that happen!!
Overall, this game is not only an excellent VR game, it has to be one of the best platformers I’ve ever played, period. If you are on the fence with trying out VR, try this out at a friends house, and this might just sell you!
Number 3
Slay the Spire- Available on everything, played on Windows
This one caught me surprise, and if it had not been for been for it appearing on free for Gamepass, I would have never even found this game. And that would have been a huge shame, as Slay the Spire is easily one the most innovative and addictive games I’ve ever had the good fortune of playing.
At it’s core, its a roguelike, card game where you fight monsters and build your deck of cards as you go to be able to fight the stronger monsters. Wash, rinse, repeat. There are 3 character types, a warrior, rogue type and wizard, with varying types of strategy to each. Nothing new to the basic formula that a game like Magic hadn’t done before…except that in Slay the Spire all of the deck building, except for a basic pile you are given at the beginning is done on the fly. You defeat monsters and open treasures, gaining more cards, giving the game an element of “If I pick the wrong card, this run is doomed”.
And that’s what kept me coming back for “one more run”. Each new run feels brand new, as more card types are unlocked and new levels discovered. Each time you break through to the next level, only to discover your deck wasn’t quite good enough to handle what awaits you…leading to one more run, just to try out the new skills you’ve earned. A brilliant game, that definitely deserves a try from anyone who enjoys turn based RPGs, roguelikes, card games…or even video games in general.
Number 2
Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair – Available for Switch, PS4, Xbox One and Windows, played on Switch
This game for me, was a comeback story almost on par with Rocky 2. Playtonic studios, formed of mostly old Rare staff (makers of Conkers Bad Fur Day, Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country) who split off and formed their own company, crowdfunded a new 3d collectathon based on a new IP, Yooka Laylee. And when it came out…it was…ok. The game let a lot of people down, as it had some real problems and glitches, though the characters it introduced were lovable and you could tell a lot of love was put in.
Cue 2 years later, and Playtonic releases another game in the series, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. Forgoing the 3D platforming genre, this time the game is a side scrolling game in the same vein as Donkey Kong Country. And this time, they absolutely nailed it. Tight controls, wonderful gameplay, and another kicker of a soundtrack. The redemption story was complete, and Playtonic had a champion of a sidescroller.
The game centers around Yooka and Laylee again, as they attempt to defeat the villian Capital Bee, who has kidnapped the Beetalion from Queen Phoebee. (Phew..) But in order to do so, the must defeat the Impossible Lair, which is a level that is available right at the beginning of the game. As you traverse the overworld map, you discover levels to play that upon completion will free one bee, which in turn gives you one more hit you can take on the Impossible Lair. There are 44 bees in total, but you can attempt the final level at any time…spoilers, it’s really really hard!
The game is absolutely stunning, and runs at 60fps, even in portable mode on the Switch. I did not have one single death that I felt wasn’t my fault, as I always felt in control of the characters. The discovery of all the worlds and hidden bees in the game is just as fun as the levels, which are an absolute blast. I found myself going through levels again and again with different power up, called tonics, just to see what I had missed.
Do yourself a favour, and pick this one up if you have any love for platformers, not just for the fact that you will love this game (and you will) but to support Playtonic, who released this absolute love letter to the Rare games of the 90s.
Number 1
Untitled Goose Game – Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One and Windows. Played on Switch
Honk! This game was the landslide choice for me this year. It’s a game that is not only a hoot to play, but is just as fun to watch in a group and play together. I’ve already played through it twice with my kids, and it’s just as entertaining to bring out now as when we first bought it.
You play as the aforementioned Goose, a naughty little bugger who travels around a small British village wreaking havok on the townsfolk, using only his beak and a honk. Each area has a list of tasks to complete, from getting the farmer wet, to dropping a pot on a pub owners head, to performing for a table full of people. The game is oozing charm, and even though you’re playing as the goose, you do find yourself feeling for the people you terrorize.
The art style can be best described as “Tintin-esque” with an almost isometric view of the screen. Almost everything in the game can be interacted with in some way, and a huge part of the game is straying away from the tasks and just goofing around with the goose and seeing who you can annoy. Yet most of the tasks involve playing this as a stealth game, which is an absolute joy to do…hunching the goose around a corner of a planter, waiting for the gardener to raise his hammer so I can honk and make him hit his thumb is never going to not be funny!
Overall, this game has ended being a huge success story for the developers, hitting number one on the Switch store and receiving much love in the YouTube “Lets Play” community..and spawning ports to the PS4 and Xbox because of that. Oh, and the fact that it wasn’t an 80 dollar game, in fact right now the Epic Store (boo!) version is 20 dollars. So if you still haven’t tried it, and enjoy nice things…pick it up on any platform, and support the little guy.
The Grumpy Old Gamers 
Leave a comment